Some of you guessed it.
We moved! Again. Back to Houston!
As in we are not movING, we have already movED. A few weeks ago, right before we came to Chicago for the interim.
When we made the decision to move to Austin from Chicago it was under major duress. We knew we would have to be in Texas, and close to Texas Children’s Hospital, but Pete had lived in Houston with me our first year out of college and didn’t super love it and had basically said he would never live there again. And truth be told, I never thought I would want to either.
So we decided on Austin.
It was close enough to TCH, I had lived there in college and loved it so much, and Pete had loved it too when he visited me. We tried to stay in Austin after college, but the job/school situation didn’t work out. Making that quick decision when I was pregnant, it seemed like the obvious choice, and we really thought we would be there forever. And then when we were in Houston waiting to have Gracie and after she was born, we loved it, and kind of didn’t want to leave. But we had bought Mr. Banks. Which looking back was probably not the best decision, we were in such a state of flux not knowing what was going to happen to Gracie, making huge commitments like that didn’t really make sense.
But if you had told me that at the time I would have legit kicked you in the shins. I was pregnant and traumatized and needed to nest. And I will be forever grateful for the distraction renovating Mr. Banks provided during our tough time, and for being such a happy and healing place for us to live during Gracie’s first year. It was really hard and sad for me to leave Clifford, but when we went and visited the new owners there last week it made me so happy to see a family there loving the home, it was very meant to be. And I know some family is going to be very happy in Mr. Banks, too.
But we are back in Houston now.
Firstly because Pete has a work opportunity there, but also for lots of other reasons, some of which are part of Secret #2 that I will tell you tomorrow. And it is happy. Pete and I have had a lot of life adventures together, living in DC, New Orleans, Austin, and Chicago. And I think it is really good to do that in your marriage, if you can. It is strengthening to be on your own together, and bonding to be somewhere new. But at this point in our lives, and now that we have Gracie, we really just want to be closer to family and friends. When we were in Chicago it was so nice being able to have Pete’s parents near by, and it was so much easier to meet people and feel at home in the city having Pete’s best friends around.
We had so much fun in Austin, it truly is as great a city as people say it is, but I just don’t think it ever really felt like home to us. Pete’s job situation never panned out the way we thought it would when we moved there, and I felt really isolated without mom friends. I tried to make some, and I made a couple, but I was doing things like giving my number to cute moms at the pediatrician, who never called (womp womp) and then going on Facebook and seeing pictures of friends all hanging out with their babies together in Houston and I would cry. Hormones. But that is a whole other post.
So that is Secret #1. Sorry I was so trixie and keeping that from y’all. I know you guys all know we are a little cray, but I kind of fear redoing another house and living in it for less than a year makes me legit cray. Sorry Mr. Banks. And so because I know y’all are going to ask, yes we found a house in Houston. It needs very little work. We are repainting, redoing some cabinetry, fixing some foundation issues…We super love the house, we haven’t named it yet, but it is beautiful and cozy and we will be moving in October(ish).
That was tons of words, and if you are still reading, I am flattered and impressed. So Secret #1 is out, and I can’t wait to share #2 with you tomorrow. It is the one I am most excited to share. Ahhh. So excited. Tomorrow.
But I do feel so much better now. I am an over sharer and keeping secrets is almost physically difficult for me. Unless you want to tell me good gossipy secrets, and then I am a steal trap. I promise.
🙂
Congrats on the move!
I’m on vacation, and I’ve checked your blog 5 times already this morning. You think I’m kidding, but sadly, no.
I hate moving (packing, really), so your lifestyle does seem a little crazy to me–but in the I’m-completely-in-awe way, not the side-eye way. I love how you and Pete figure out what’s best for you and then … do it. It’s awesome. And if it means we get a 3rd house tour, I’m even more happy for you.
Can’t wait ’til tomorrow!
awesome! can’t wait to hear surprise #2! and you better tell us more about the new place soon!
trixie indeed. you are a tease. straight up. and I love it and your work and all your craziness which is why I check regularly. can’t wait to hear bomb #2.
Especially hard when people are like “show me yo backyard!” (in big scary voice) and you have to be like “uh don’t live there so I’ll pretend I never saw that comment”(in tiny little girl voice). Congratulations on the move! I’m sure it’ll be darling like every other home you’ve lived in 🙂
Congratulations Bailey! I’ve so enjoyed following all your adventures this far and I am looking forward to following more in Houston. All the best of luck to you guys!
xx
Nikki
That’s so exciting & feeling at home is so important! Can’t wait for secret #2 tomorrow, thanks for sharing!!
I knew it! It’s like you are leaving a trail of awesome-ness all over the country with your renovated homes. Now can you please move to south florida for like 2 weeks, so I can buy the home you renovate after you leave again?! I can’t wait to hear more about your new home! And about secret #2! (I also have been checking your blog all morning, waiting for this post.)
I am the same re secrets. And re moving. My husband and I lived in Georgia, Belgium and now Scotland and had a baby (now 13 mos old girl) in Brussels and moved here in Scotland to be near family and friends. I hope we are in this house for a while now, bc the longest we were in one abode was 1 year in about 5 years. And re hormones!
Oh Surprise Number Two is obvious now. Pete is a secret agent. I know this from watching TV shows. That’s the real reason you have to move so often. Sorry to spoil tomorrow’s big reveal. 🙁
Wow what a whirlwind you have had lately.
Holy moly! I know a million people will say this, but I can’t wait to see the next house! Lol no pressure!!! But in all seriousness, you are a hardcore lady just rolling with all the changes! I’m crossing my fingers that tomorrow means another baby!!!
So excited about your new home & life to come! Congrats all around!
Congrats!! I absolutely LOVE Houston and can’t wait to move back (hopefully any day now!)But I do know that it can be an acquired taste…. I didn’t love it when I first lived there either. But now, its def my fav city 🙂
If you need recommendations about anything (where to eat, get your hair done, etc) please let me know!
xoxo, Emily
Awesome, awesome! You know, I could totally “see” you in Austin – with your darling and oh-so-unique sense of style, but I absolutely get wanting to be close to fam/friends in H-town. Good for you, Pete and the G’ster.
What you said about moving around, trying new places together in your marriage made me tear up. It is SO true. Our travels here, there and everywhere with Ben’s job have been scary for this small-town gal, but I’ve always known so long as he’s with me, we are ALL good.
Can’t wait for Secret Part Deux.
Can’t wait for house pics, either.
Peace Out,
ag
PS – If you’d given me your mommy digits at the Pedi, I woulda given you a holler. 😀
Congrats on the move and so glad you’ll be closer to your friends and family!
Can’t wait to follow along on all of your next adventures!
And, re: secrets… I love the suspense! It’s like a season finale cliff-hanger on tv, except I don’t have to wait all summer to find out what happens! 🙂
Congrats!
really, really glad y’all are home! see you soon, i hope! xoxo
Oh, so sad for Austin! But I understand wanting to be close to family and friends. Since you will have Mr. Banks on the market, can you share the address? I would love to see it, albeit without your wonderful, personal and unique touches adorning it. I thinks secret #2 is so obvious now, and holy smokes, I don’t know how you stay functioning! Kudos, girl. I can’t wait to see your next creation(s). You’ve brought me many happy distractions during my days.
Congrats on the move! I can’t wait to see pictures of your new Houston home when it is complete.
As someone who just left all of her friends and family on the east coast to move to Chicago with her husband for his job, I could not agree with you more that it is strengthening in a marriage to be on your on in a new city with no one but each other to rely on. We have actually been trying many of your restaurant recs from an old post of yours. Thy’re spot on. Thanks!
Can’t wait for secret #2!
Cannot wait to see pictures and hear your big(ger) secret!!
Congrats on the move! If you get a sec, I’d love to hear your thoughts on my latest posts and enter to win my giveaway!
peacelovedecor.com
Bailey,
This doesn’t make you the least bit crazy! It makes sense. What would be crazy would be to stay in a house that even though you just renovated it, deep down in your belly you knew it was not right for your family. I am proud of you for doing what is right for your family no matter what. Like I said, i hope my sister buys mr banks!
Hugs,
Kkrs
Goodness, you move even more than we do (we’ve also moved twice in the past year). Congrats on the new move, can’t wait to see the new house.
Congrats Bailey! Also been following since your Chicago days so it’s exciting to hear about your moves and especially the part where you decorate your home! Good luck with it all and hope it all goes as smoothly as possible. A quick question for you if you have the time, me & my hubs are thinking of making the move to Texas, but not sure where (he is originally from Dallas – but open to any major city – I’ve always lived in NYC area so it’s a big leap for me). Why did you prefer Houston over Austin? Any thoughts on Dallas-Fort Worth? I have 2 young kids myself so looking for some honest feedback:).
Bailey! Love your website! This does not make you cray, but super awesome. You know what you want and go for it! That’s a special quality. So glad you, Pete and Gracie are happy. And yay to the new house! 🙂 😉
How exciting. I hope you three will be so happy in your new home. I can imagine how crazy that must be with a little one. Gracie is only a little younger than our baby girl, and we moved with her when she was just learning to crawl… and that was madness. I can’t imagine moving with her again right now – so good for you guys! 🙂 You definitely have to do what’s right for all of you!
Excited to hear secret #2.
That’s awesome news, congrats! I can totally relate. I grew up in Denver, went to college in NYC, had a stint in LA, moved to SF for almost ten years, and now I’m married and living in Napa. Sounds like fun to most, but frankly I’d rather be back in Denver with family and friends. And with my first baby on the way, I’m in the same boat as you were. Out there looking for new-mom friends at prenatal exercise classes, etc. Makes you feel a little alone. There’s nothing better than having the love and support of family and friends nearby. So many, many congrats. P.S. Can’t wait to see your new space. I’m sure it will be as fabulous as the last two!
You are a crazy lady, I love it, and want to be your real life friend! Such a fun, adventurouse and exhausting life you have. My number 2 secret guess is that you are having a baby?! Is it true?!? I sure hope it is, but I guess I will find out tomorrow…..
OMG I am having a panic attack. You guys are straight up cray cray! But I can’t wait to see where you are going and how it turns out. Best of luck and waiting for surprise #2.
Knew it! And nowwwww can Octoberish just come on and happen so we can see the END RESULT ALREADY!?!? Haha! Cannot WAIT to see your design deliciousness in a whole new house again!! Now secret #2…. crossing my fingers that it’s baby #2!!!! And if it’s not that, then it’s for sure store!! Keep it girlfriend! You rock all my socks off! 🙂
YES! Houston wins! I’m a native Houstonian who went to UT Austin and it was great. Stuck around for awhile after I graduated but it just is different. Too many hippies for me yet too pretentious. It got old.
Welcome home!
YES! Houston wins! I’m a native Houstonian who went to UT Austin and it was great. Stuck around for awhile after I graduated but it just is different. Too many hippies for me yet too pretentious. It got old.
Welcome home!
killing me…! can’t wait to log on tomorrow and see what it is!!
Ahhh Bailey!!!! Wha?!?! We live in the same city!! As one of your blogger stalkers expect me to be a lil awkward if we ever bump into one another. By the way, wanna be best frands??
Please fill me in on your fav restaurants/bars/boutiques in Houston! There are so many amazing spots here I feel like I’ll never find them all.
Ahhhhhhh! Bailey!! Amazeballs! No wonder you were super sneaky with the secrets! I visited Houston once for work and really liked it, myself! Cannot wait for secret # 2; my money’s on either another babysaurus or a store. Holla!
Hooray! I live in Houston and am always encouraged when people choose our huge-but-humble city to make their home 🙂 So glad that you’re closer to the fam and will have more mommy friends and a great job situation for Pete – it pretty much sounds ideal! And you timed it just right…smack-dab in the middle of Restaurant Week 🙂 Welcome home!
Welcome home Bailey and fam!
Let me know if you ever need a babysitter for sweet Gracie… I’d love to meet the newest cousin!
Martha
PS- months ago you posted about Relish… I’m a regular now thanks to your reccomendation. Their BLT… I can’t even.
Wow! Moving is a chore! I’m in the middle of it myself with an international move so I feel for you! But it sounds like it was a good decision for y’all so I’m happy for you! And I’m happy for us readers because new house = new reveal on the blog! Yay! Considering you have your own board on my Pinterest, I can’t wait to see what’s in store next!
xx
Kecia
http://www.couturezooblog.com/
Ahhh Bailey!!!! Wha?!?! We live in the same city!! As one of your
blogger stalkers expect me to be a lil awkward if we ever bump into
one another. By the way, wanna be best frands??
Please fill me in on your fav restaurants/bars/boutiques in Houston!
There are so many amazing spots here I feel like I’ll never find them
all.
Excited to see the new house. I’m sure it’ll be amazing.
I’m a new reader, why do you need to be by Texas Children’s Hospital?